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Scuttlebutt Updates
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Archived NewslettersSCUTTLEBUTT 2803 - Wednesday, March 18, 2009Scuttlebutt is published each weekday with the support of its sponsors,providing a digest of major sailing news, commentary, opinions, features and dock talk . . . with a North American focus. Today's sponsors are Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race and North Sails. SEEKING TO REMAIN ON TOP Terry Hutchinson won the prestigious Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award in 2008, largely due to his success in the TP52 and Melges 24 classes. Here he provides an update on the Offshore Rules website: * How is the 2009 season shaping up? HUTCHINSON: My personal goal for 2009 is to continue to compete in the same manner and at the same level as in 2008. The reality is that it is very difficult to continually win events and frankly 2009 has started not as well as 2008. For one reason or another the first three events of the year have only resulted in only one podium finish. I guess that the beauty of our sport is this continual challenge which means that I have to make sure I continue to push and raise my game along with that of the teams that I race with. My main focus in 2009 will be on the TP 52 Quantum Racing and the Farr 40 Barking Mad where I would hope with both of these teams we have opportunities to do great things. As always success will come down to doing all the little things well. * If you had to choose just one class to sail for the rest of your life, which would it be? HUTCHINSON: Wow. Tough question as there are so many great classes to choose from. Five years ago I would have chosen a Star boat as that class provides great tactical sailing and is very technical. Right now the class of choice is the Melges 24. It offers great tactical sailing, is challenging and provides an awesome ride downwind in a breeze. So many great classes out there, I am glad I don’t actually have to choose! Complete interview: http://www.offshorerules.com/articles/showArticle.aspx?id=151 SUNSCREEN: WHAT DO THE PROS USE? If you shop at Costco, you know how they display products for the next season… a few months before you need them. The aisles at Costco are currently full of boogie boards, beach towels, lounge chairs, and sunscreen. But what is the best sunscreen for sailing? Scuttlebutt asked some of the people who are regularly on the water. Russell Coutts uses whatever his wife gives him, and Anna Tunnicliffe finds success with most everything that is 50+ SPF and waterproof. Here is some of the other feedback we received: * Greg Fisher, J/22 World Champion: “I like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 55 sun block as it is less sticky and doesn't burn the eyes as readily as some of the other stuff. It's not totally waterproof but I've been told that you need to reapply every few hours anyway for any sunscreen to remain effective. I've tried some other sunscreens that claim to have "anti-wrinkle" properties. They don't seem to have quite the screen qualities as the Neutrogena nor do they seem to actually turn back the clock on what the sun has already accomplished!" * Paige Railey, 2006 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year: “I use a sunscreen called Roc for babies. The reason I prefer it is because it's a mineral cream. I always wear rashguards so the only thing exposed to the sun is my face. The sunscreen is so thick that it makes my skin white. It looks like I wear zinc on my face. When it starts to wear off then the color will start to fade. So I reapply. This is the reason why I look like a ghost in all of my pictures. I use the same for my lips. I need to protect them because when I was younger I never cared for them so now I have had two spots removed. Let’s say I take the sun very seriously!” * Zach Railey, 2008 Olympic Finn Silver Medalist: “I use sunscreen called Ocean Potion. SPF 30. It is very waterproof and also sweat proof for hot weather. I think it was originally designed for surfers.” * Later this week we will also hear from Bill Hardesty, Morgan Reeser, Morgan Larson, Terry Hutchinson, and Kenny Read and his team aboard PUMA. Do you have a favorite? Post it here: http://forum.sailingscuttlebutt.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi?post=7198 ENSENADA RACE ALIVE & WELL: ENTRIES UP, SHIP SELLING OUT Entries for the 62nd Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race starting April 24 are significantly up from this time last year, and the initial allocation on a Carnival cruise ship to join festivities in Mexico is sold out. However, limited space remains available at slightly above $300 per person, double occupancy. Cruise ship reservations available online at mailto:mark.k@SevenSeas-Travel.com or phone 800.951.5581. People not sailing may travel to Ensenada by luxury coach, $60 roundtrip. Coach reservations online at mailto:colby@rodheim-marketing.com or phone 714.557.5100, ext. 16. The responses reflect intense efforts by NOSA race organizers and Mexican authorities to ensure an enjoyable experience. MAKING THE TURN AT CAPE HORN (Mar. 17, 2009; Day 32) - Amid the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA became the third boat to round Cape Horn on this marathon Leg 5 when they passed through the iconic toll booth at 20:46 GMT and banked themselves three points at the scoring gates. Earlier, Ericsson 3 had led the procession, reaching the landmark at 12:22 GMT to add four points to its overall tally. Ericsson 4 was second, a little over two hours later (at 14:48 GMT), to gather three and a half points. The remaining distance to the gate for Green Dragon and Telefonica Blue remains 110 and 633 miles, respectively. The E3 Nordics, skippered by Magnus Olsson, have had control of this marathon Leg 5 since navigator Aksel Magdahl’s gamble to ignore Southern Ocean tradition and head north from the previous waypoint at 36 degrees south. Olsson took over the reins of Ericsson 3 from Anders Lewander at the start of this leg in Qingdao, having deputised for Lewander on the previous stage while he nursed an injury leg. For the lead group, this leg is far from over, as there remains over 2,000 miles and some light air from the Horn to Rio to negotiate. Ericsson 4's Media Crew Member Guy Salter also notes, “The cold doesn't automatically turn off when we round the Horn – there is a hell of a lot of sailing before the survival suits get packed away and the thermals slung in a plastic bag to fester until wash day ashore.” -- Complete report: http://linkbee.com/JRUB Crewed around the world race in VO 70’s, with ten distance legs and seven In-Port races. Leg Five from Qingdao, China to Rio de Janiero, Brazil is 12,300 nm, with the finish estimated on March 23rd. Current positions (as of Mar. 17, 10:15 pm GMT): 1. Ericsson 3 (SWE), Magnus Olsson/SWE, 2,120 nm Distance to Finish 2. Ericsson 4 (SWE), Torben Grael/BRA, 13 nm Distance to Leader 3. PUMA (USA), Ken Read/USA, 125 nm DTL 4. Green Dragon (IRL/CHN), Ian Walker/GBR, 208 nm DTL 5. Telefónica Blue (ESP), Bouwe Bekking/NED, 766 nm DTL Telefonica Black (ESP), Fernando Echavarri/ESP, Did Not Start Delta Lloyd (IRL), Roberto Bermudez/ESP, DNS Team Russia (RUS), Andreas Hanakamp/AUT, DNS Event website: http://www.volvooceanrace.org Overall scores: http://www.volvooceanrace.org/rdc/#tab4 Race tracking: http://volvooceanrace.geovoile.com MINOPRIO STEPS UP AS A CON CUP FAVORITE Just when it seemed there was no more room for talent in the Long Beach Yacht Club's 45th Congressional Cup next week, here comes Adam Minoprio politely elbowing his way into the overcrowded circle of favorites. While showing due respect for his elders and their rankings, the 23-year-old New Zealander and his BlackMatch Racing crew scored their first victory on the World Match Racing Tour in last week's season opener, the Marseille International Match Race in France. Along the way the team defeated double WMRT defending champion Ian Williams of the UK, Ed Baird of Alinghi's America's Cup champions and, in the title finals, No. 3-ranked Mathieu Richard. "I think that it will only increase our self-belief when going into big matches against well-known sailors like Ben Ainslie and Terry Hutchinson," Minoprio said this week. The 10 teams will arrive in Long Beach over the weekend and draw for boats and practice Monday. Double round-robin racing starts Tuesday, March 24th off Long Beach Memorial Belmont Pier, which will have seating and commentating for spectators. The top four advance to the final sailoffs on Saturday, March 28th. The total purse is potentially worth $83,500, including prize money through 10 places, the fleet race, six $2,000 Oceanaut watches to the winning crew, plus an Acura TSX or $30,000 to any skipper that can sweep every race before winning overall. -- Complete story: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0317a/ WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A WORLD CHAMPION Tactician Bucky Smith was a key member of the Australian team that achieved a resounding victory in the Audi Etchells World Championship 2009 held in Melbourne in early March. Aboard the Jason Muir skippered Etchells, Racer XY, Smith and his fellow crew members Paul Wyatt and Matthew Chew worked as a highly polished team to finish 20 points ahead of the next team and to walk away from the World Championship with one race to spare. At the completion of the Worlds Smith took time to analyse the team’s program and racing strategy. What follows is a comprehensive and fascinating insight to the Muir campaign and how Smith contributed to the success of the team in the Worlds. -- by Tracey Johnstone, read on: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0317b/ FREE SHIPPING ON NORTH SAILS GEAR North Sails has a great selection of PUMA Ocean Racing Gear including men's & ladies tees, pullovers, shorts & hoodies. Through Sunday, March 22, enjoy free shipping on all North Sails Gear orders over $60 (excluding tax & shipping, surface shipping within the US only. Write 'scuttlebutt' in comments box during check-out. Shipping charges will be deducted from your order.) Also - check out our Clearance section, new mark-downs have been taken! http://www.northsailsgear.com/store/?c=67 SAILING SHORTS * (San Pedro, CA) - Every time the engraver thought it was safe to carve a new name on the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Perpetual Trophy (last) Sunday, word came from the water, "Not so fast." Or so it seemed as the title contenders in the second annual intercollegiate big boat regatta struggled for consistency before Maine Maritime Academy settled down to successfully defend its 2008 championship against seven intercollegiate rivals, four of whom had their shots at one time or another. USC and Cal State U. Channel Islands rounded out the top three. -- Full report: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0317/ * The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) released its 2007 U.S. Recreational Boat Registrations Statistics report showing that nationwide, U.S. recreational boat registrations in 2007 increased one percent compared to 2006. A total of 13 million vessels were registered and/or documented in the U.S. in 2007, compared to 12.9 million in 2006. Florida topped state rankings for registered boats, with nearly 992,000 vessels recorded in 2007. California ranked second overall (964,881 registrations), with Minnesota (866,496 registrations), Michigan (830,743 registrations) and Wisconsin (617,366 registrations) rounded out the top five states. -- Complete details: http://www.nmma.org/news/news.asp?id=17644&sid=3 * University of Tasmania science students Adrian Beswick, 21, and Josh Phillips, 22, made the Bass Strait crossing from Stanley on Tasmania's northwest coast to Victoria in a 14-foot B14 skiff to raise $100,000 for the critically endangered Tasmanian devil and to beat the record set in 2005 by Laser sailor Michael Blackburn. While they fell short in both areas, their ultimate goal was to raise awareness of the Tasmanian devil’s plight, which experts predict will face extinction within 20 years because of the highly contagious and invariably fatal devil facial tumour disease. -- Complete report: http://linkbee.com/JRUC * Sail America, the national trade association for the sailing industry, has announced the merger of Strictly Sail Pacific with the Northern California Marine Association's (NCMA) Pacific Power Boat Expo. The new show, Strictly Sail Pacific & Power Boat Expo will take place April 15-19, 2009 at the newly remodeled Jack London Square in Oakland, California. -- Read on: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2240494.htm * Franck Cammas has begun a period of training aboard the 105-foot maxi trimaran Groupama 3 within the Mediterranean Sea to prepare for the following record attempts: Mediterranean Crossing between Marseilles and Carthage held by Orange 2 in 17 hours and 56 minutes (May 6-June 2); North Atlantic Crossing, held by Groupama 3 in 99 hours and 57 minutes (July 7-August 19); and the Jules Verne Trophy held by Orange 2 in 50 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes (to begin November 1). Among the 11-person crew are notables Thomas Coville and Stan Honey. -- Full report: http://linkbee.com/JRUE * (Mar. 17; Day 24) Over the past 24 hours on Leg 3 from New Zealand to Brazil, the Portimão Global Ocean Race fleet have been riding north-westerly breeze of around 20 knots in their descent through the Furious Fifties towards Cape Horn. The doublehanded team of Felipe Cubillos and José Muñoz on Desafio Cabo de Hornos lead the fleet of Open and Class 40s. -- Event website: http://www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com * The International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) has announced the final results from the IMOCA Open 60 World Championship. In 2008 the annual title goes to 32 year old Armel le Cleac’h, followed by Marc Guillemot (2nd) and Michel Desjoyeaux (3rd). Armel, skipper of Brit Air, has won his place by finishing second in both the Artemis Transat and the Vendée Globe. This year the top ten rankings are made up of 5 French skippers, 4 Brits and 1 American. -- Full announcement: http://www.imoca.org/container.asp?id=20374 LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON Reader commentary is encouraged, with letters to be submitted to the Scuttlebutt editor, aka, ‘The Curmudgeon’. Letters selected for publication must include the writer's name, and be no longer than 250 words (letter might be edited for clarity or simplicity). You only get one letter per subject, and save your bashing and personal attacks for elsewhere. As an alternative, a more open environment for discussion is available on the Scuttlebutt Forum. -- To submit a Letter: editor@sailingscuttlebutt.com -- To post on the Forum: http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/forum * From T.J. Perrotti: (re, Eric Schlageter in #2802) I had the good fortune to work closely with Eric Schlageter way back in the 1990's as he plugged away at many improvements to the PACT (Partnership for America's Cup Technology) VPP. Eric did a Herculean job at managing the techno-input from John Marshall, Jim Teeters, and many others within his Fortran-code world. But Eric was always at his best outside the design office ... soft spoken, sharp witted, and packed with his one-tonner fun. We'd all be laughing in stitches as he barely cracked a smile with some hilarious punch line. Rest in peace, Eric ... you shined strong and true. * From Tom Duggan: (re, rules quiz in #2802) Recently I learned of a correction technique called the 'Criticism Sandwich'. I'll try it out here… > Start With a Slice of Bread: It is commendable that you take the time and make the effort to help educate sailors on the racing rules. > Here's the Ham (or PB &J): But, I think you missed one yesterday. The answer given stated 'if you break one of these rules you are stuck with it' and implied that a further reading of the rules would reveal some circumstance where you might not be 'stuck with it'. In fact, under normal circumstances, for Rules 30.3 and 42- it's the other way around. Black Flag Rule (30.3) disqualifications can be excluded 99% of the time- the last sentence of 30.3 says that one must misbehave to be granted 'shall not be excluded' status. Initial Rule 42 disqualifications can be excluded- one must repeatedly break the rule to reach 'shall not be excluded' status. Only if the S.I.'s invoke the draconian Rule 67 does every Rule 42 disqualification become something 'you are stuck with'. > And Now the Other Slice: I only bring this up because of the enormous respect your publication has earned in the sailing community. Most sailors regard what is printed therein as The Truth. * From Chris Bedford, Sailing Weather Service: Thank you for publishing the note from Zorana regarding QuikSCAT (in SBUTT 2802). This is extremely important and timely - not just for ocean racers, but for global marine industry in general. The importance of QuikSCAT can hardly be understated. When crossing the doldrums, assessing model accuracy, or accurately locating a storm, cyclone, or front, QuickSCAT data is our most valuable data source. The information produced by QuikSCAT is so important, I have arranged a meeting during the Boston Volvo Ocean Race stopover between the NASA QuikSCAT Project Scientists, and the VOR Skippers, Navigators and Meteorologists. The purpose of this meeting is to specifically discuss our experiences using QuikSCAT and its future. We will meet at the Headquarters of the American Meteorological Society, bringing together developers, researchers, and users of QuikSCAT data. QuikSCAT is now in year nine of a two year mission and is thus long overdue for replacement and/or upgrade. I cannot imagine how shipping, navigation, racing, and marine forecasting would be impacted should QuikSCAT fail. With its ability to measure with much greater detail than the traditional observation network of buoys and ships, QuikSCAT truly is a first line of defense. * From Holly O’Hare: (re, youth boat thread from #2801) We’re on it. The Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis not only has the OpenBic but also the double handed RS Feva (Sailing World's 2006 Boat of the Year Best Dinghy). Our goal at EYC is to bring the fun back into learning to sail. With due respect… the Opti is a great starter boat for younger kids. At EYC we start our 8-10yr olds in the Opti and transition them into the BIC and/or Feva based on size and ability. Both the OpenBic and the Feva can get up and go even in light air which might be a bit much for a little newbie… making the Opti a good starter boat. Both the BIC and Feva are plastic which as a program organizer I dig… seems to be a lack of fiberglass repair knowledge with our new breed of instructors. * From Paul Gingras, Palm Beach, FL: For the past year I have read comments regarding junior sailing and the O'Pen BIC. I have seen kids sail this new design and yes, they have a lot of fun with it and it seems like a good boat to generate excitement about sailing. If parents or their children have an interest in traditional sailboat racing they may be wise to also include a conventional dinghy in their sailing program such as an Opti, Sabot, or El Toro. These classes introduce kids to standard courses and the Racing Rules of Sailing. I can't imagine a child sailing an O'Pen BIC for four or five years and then jumping into Laser 4.7 or Club 420 competition and doing well. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Before all the factions for youth boats chime in, I shall kill this thread now. However, I will leave with one parting remark. While it is great how youth sailors have options that will excite them, let’s not forget that these options are temporary, and vanish as the sailor grows up. If youth sailors are to become life sailors, connecting the youth sailor to options that will be available to them beyond their school years should be a priority too. * From Jim Champ: (re, plane thread beginning in #2801) My dear chap, I am well aware that the unattractive and unusual A10 Warthog is American. That was the point I was making... Without wanting to labour the point too hard, according to the one liner it ought to have been Russian. Oh yes, and the Concorde is part French too. Do keep up at the back there. => Curmudgeon’s Comment: Yes, I broke my rule by giving Jim two letters on the same subject. And no, this plane thread will go no further. Officially closed! CURMUDGEON’S OBSERVATION If you go slow enough long enough, you will be ahead again. Special thanks to Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race and North Sails. A complete list of preferred suppliers is at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ssc/suppliers |
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